The Australian Open
Sabalenka claims Melbourne trophy double at expense of Zheng
Aryna Sabalenka took control from the start but needed a fighting finish to defeat Zheng Qinwen as the No. 2 seed claimed her second straight title at the Australian Open on Saturday 6-3, 6-2..
The world No. 2 had to battle in the final game as her 15th-ranked Chinese opponent – now moving into the Top 10 – saved four match points and put the holder under pressure with a break point.
Sabalenka finally concluded the win after 77 minutes with a cross-court winner; she accepted the trophy from Aussie tennis icon Evonne Goolagong Cawley.
Sabalenka is the first woman to defend the Melbourne title since Belarus countrywoman Victoria Azarenka in 2013.
Sabalenka swept to the trophy without losing a set over the fortnight as she won her 14th consecutive match here.

“Congrat to Qinwen on reaching the final, I know how tough it is to lose.” Sabalenka said.
“You are an incredible player, a young girl (21). I’m sure you will win one.
“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks for me. I could not have imagined holding this trophy for a second time.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling – I’m speechless, I’m sure (the rest of) this speech will be weird.
“Thanks to my family (at home), they are my biggest motivation. I can;t wait to come back here next year.
The seed claimed the opening set in 33 minutes, but needed five set points to take the lead.
Sabalenka started the second set with a break of Zheng as the challenger delivered three double-faults.
Sabalenka raced to 5-1 but was tested in the final game before securing victory.
The winner was competing in her 26th career final: since 2017 and will remain second in the WTA ranking on Monday behind Iga Swiatek,
Zheng took the comprehensive Grand Slam finals defeat in good spirits after winning her first WTA title only last summer.
“It’s my first (Grand Slam) final, I’m feeling a bit dizzy,” the finalist said. “This is a new experience for me.
“I wish I could have done it (played) better. But I enjoyed playing here, it will be an amazing memory for me.
.”I’m sure there will be more and better times in the future.”
The Australian Open
Fashion-forward Osaka will tone it down at RG
Tennis style icon Naomi Osaka has no plans to try for one-upmanship in the informal fashion stakes at Roland Garros.
The former world No. 1 from Japan has sometimes made more news with her style choices than her racquet, especially after taking time off several seasons ago to have a child.
But Osaka has run against the traditional tennis grain with some of her outfits, which included an exo-skeleton ensemble at January’s Australian Open, where she walked onto court for her opening match wearing a large hat, veil, and carrying a parasol combination and wearing a pair of pleated pants..
The clothing was discarded before the start revealing a tennis dress, with the quirky player explaining the get-up was inspired by “the jellyfish, then butterflies, which ties back to the butterfly moment I had here a long time ago, in 2021,”
The world No. 16 also put on a fashion show at the spring Met Gala in New York, sporting a wedding dress-style garment combined with another huge hat..
For Osaka, it’s just another day in the office, but she said nothing special is planned when Roland Garros kicks of on Sunday in Paris.
“I don’t talk a lot, so that way I can talk through my clothes,” she said on Saturday prior to the start of the year’s second major.
“That means I can be as loud with colors or patterns or
fabric as I want.
“I think that’s the fun part.. I feel we lost that a little in tennis. I grew up with, you know, Serena’s and Venus’s (Williams) grand reveals (included beaded hair and catsuits on court).
“I know there are some kids or some people who are similar to me that hopefully feel that same way about my outfits.
“But, yeah, I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”
ATP
Kyrgios due to resurface on German grass
Nick Kyrgios is being touted for a return to tennis after playing just one singles match all season, with the controversial Australian due in the lineups for Stuttgart and Halle in June.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist who turns 31 in a week, has been added to the entry lists for the pair of run-up events prior to the grass-court major which starts on June 29.
Kyrgios, who has missed months on end due to injury and motivational worries, has played just one Grand Slam match since 2022, losing in the Australian Open first round in 2025.
His lone outing this season was an ATP defeat in Brisbane on January 6.
Nevertheless, the acquired taste is feted as a crowd-puller and will have German organisers on alert as to his eventual availability.
“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in a statement.
“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity.
“At the same time, his emotional personality and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond the sport.”
Stuttgart start the day after the Roland Garros final while Halle follows a week later in northern Germany from June 13-21.
ATP
Djoko dropping hints that career has short shelf life
Novak Djokovic has been making it plain that the end of his career is approaching, with the 38-year-old dropping his strongest hint ever about his future on court.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion who has been keeping his ATP scheduling options open and has competed this season only at the Australian Open (finals loss to Carlos Alcaraz) and winning two rounds last month at Indian Wells.
“Tennis is still very important to me, but it’s no longer everything,” the Serb told Esquire Australia, adding that family matters and two children are starting to take precedence in his life.
“It’s one of the biggest challenges – finding the right balance between tennis and family life, especially as my children are growing and have school commitments, so they can’t travel with me as much as before.
“When I’m on the court, I’m motivated not just to win, but to set an example – to show them values like dedication, resilience, and love for what you do. That motivation is very powerful and very personal.”
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic was runner up to Carlos Alcaraz in AO26 – by ISF Ltd
-
Madrid Masters4 weeks agoSabalenka all in on possible RG player boycott
-
ATP4 weeks agoSinner the winner to push on with Rome entry
-
ATP4 weeks agoSinner all-in as Grand Slam boycott pressure grows
-
ATP3 weeks agoDarderi earns Italian upset with defeat of Zverev
-
Brisbane3 weeks agoSabalenka sensation as top seed toppled
-
ATP3 weeks agoAnother Italian victim for Sinner
-
Indian wells3 weeks agoSinner coasts to opening Rome win
-
ATP3 weeks agoSinner storms ahead as skies clear in Rome
